Liquid baffle for gasoline dispensing nozzles



Aug. 26, 1958 .F. B. DAVE INPQRT, JR 2,849,036

I LIQUID BAFFLE FOR GASOLINE DISPENSING NOZZLES Filed 001',- 5, 1955 INVENTOR. 5190 B. DaVenporffi United States Patent:

Fred B. Davenport, Jr., Sioux City, Iowa Application Uctober 5, 1955, Serial No. 538,719

3 Claims. (Cl. Bib-392) My invention relates to a liquid baflle for gasoline dispensing nozzles.

An object of my invention is to provide a device which is attachable to a gasoline dispensing nozzle, and which will prevent the gasoline in the tank from being forced by built-up air pressure out through the inlet tube of the tank.

A further object of my invention is to provide a resilient device which will suitably close the tank tube or opening at its periphery, and however will still allow a maximum area opening to be provided whereby the air in the tank can be readily discharged.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device which can be accommodated to varied size tank or inlet tube openings.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, and partial section showing my device attached to a gasoline dispensing nozzle,

Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1 taken along, the lines 22 thereof,

Figure 3 is a sectional view of Figure 1 taken along the lines 3-3 thereof, and

Figure 4 is a modification.

It is a well-known fact that when a gasoline tank is being filled, the air which is in the tank must be displaced in order to accommodate the incoming gasoline, and as a result the rapid rush of gasoline into the tank will rapidly build up an air pressure due to the restricted closure features of the neck of the tank, so that said built-up air pressure will usually cause a very large quantity of the gasoline to be blown out of the tank inlet.

My invention contemplates a device for allowing the gasoline to be fed into the tank as rapidly as desired and wherein the device incorporates a feature whereby the maximum volume of air which is displaced can readily escape so that there will thereby be no built-up back pressure.

I have used the character to designate a gasoline dispensing nozzle having the end opening 11, the character 12 indicating further valve portions including the valve stem 13 which is actuated by means of the handle 14, and I have further used the character 15 to indicate the tubular neck which communicates with the gasoline tank itself, the neck having the usual inwardly turned flange portion 16 which engages the gasoline tank cap.

The device of my invention comprises a tubular member 17, which member 17 is preferably made of neoprene or any other suitable resilient material, and molded integrally with the member 17 is a continuous helically formed flange 18 which is wound about the member 17 as shown, and which originates at 19 and terminates at 20, the continuous flange 18 also being larger at its upper end 19 than its lower end 20, thereby being tapered to a reduced diameter downwardly.

The spirally arranged member 18 can be pitched to provide any number of turns per unit length, or if desired three of such members 18 can be provided as shown in Figure 4 whereby each of the members 18 will be parallel to each other, or any other number of such members can be provided, Figure 1 however showing the preferred type.

The device as described is attached to the end of the nozzle portion 10 as shown can always remain in this secured position, and it will now be noted that when the nozzle is inserted into the neck 15, the portion of the spirally arranged member 18 which is of the same inner diameter as the flanged portion 16 will abut snugly against the flange portion 16, and due to the resilient character of the material, will provide a tight closure at this point so that the gasoline cannot escape.

It will also be noted that if there is a tendency for any gasoline to escape upwardly through the neck 15, it will impinge against the continuously wound member 18 and will be adhesively held along the area of this member, thereby providing a tortuous barrier against the escape of the gasoline.

The principal function, however, of the member 18 is to provide a spirally wound passageway for the complete escape of the air which is displaced in the tank, which air will correspondingly pass into the space between the parallel portions of the member 18, and at the portion where the member 18 abuts against the flange portion 16 the air will rapidly whirl about between the spirals and escape quickly, this maximum area thus provided preventing any tendency for built-up air pressures, and reducing the wastage of the gasoline to a minimum.

The spirally arranged member 18 thereby provides both a baffle to the gasoline as well as a means for a complete and quick discharge of the air from the tank itself and for the purpose intended.

It will now be seen that I have provided the advantages mentioned in the objects of my invention with various other advantages being readily apparent.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. A liquid battle for gasoline dispensing nozzles comprising a continuous helically wound flange member adapted to receive the end of said nozzle to thereby provide a helical passageway for displaced air passing from a gasoline tank, a cylindrical sleeve to which said flange member is attached, said sleeve snugly receiving said nozzle end.

2. A liquid baflle for gasoline dispensing nozzles comprising a continuous helically wound flange member adapted to receive the end of said nozzle to thereby provide a helical passageway for displaced air passing from a gasoline tank, a cylindrical sleeve to which said flange member is attached, said sleeve snugly receiving said nozzle end, said flange and said sleeve being made of resilient material.

3. A liquid baffle for gasoline dispensing nozzles comprising a continuous helically wound flange member adapted to receive the end of said nozzle to thereby provide a helical passageway for displaced air passing from a gasoline tank, a cylindrical sleeve to which said flange member is attached, said sleeve snugly receiving said nozzle end, said flange and said sleeve being made of resilient material, said helically wound flange member McDonald Sept. 1, 1925 Harman June 24, 1930 

